Method and apparatus for producing information regarding the operation of a networked system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for producing operational information regarding a networked system. System configuration information regarding the configuration of the system is obtained. Activity of the system is continuously monitored to obtain system activity information. The system configuration information is combined with the system activity information to obtain real time operational information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producinginformation regarding the operation of a networked system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In a networked system, such as a networked computer system or acommunications system, various entities are connected to a network.Communication between the entities can be established across thenetwork. If problems occur with the network, such as failure of networkinfrastructure equipment, or overloading of the network, then this cancause degradation or loss of communication between entitiescommunicating across the network. This can be costly for businesses whorely on these networks for the conduct of their day to day business. Itis important that such problems are avoided, or rectified as quickly aspossible.

An illustrative example of the above described problem arises in theoperation of an IP telephony system. In an IP telephony system, TCP/IPenabled telephones are connected to a network. The network utilised canbe an existing LAN which is already used for other tasks, such asnetworking a group of computers. This means that a telephone system canbe installed in a premises that has a pre-existing network, and thetelephones are configured to operate over the existing network. Thisallows a telephone system to be installed requiring significantly lesswiring than a traditional telephone system, which requires wiring to beinstalled for the sole purpose of connecting the telephones to a localtelephone exchange such as a PABX.

In an IP telephony system, calls made between telephones connected tothe same LAN are established as communication paths between thetelephones across the LAN. These communications paths are established bya system controller which controls operation of the system. Thiscontroller is typically in the form of a file server computer connectedto the network. If a call is required to be made to a telephone notconnected to the LAN, then the communication path may be routed across aWAN, or may be made via a gateway which establishes a connection to atraditional telephone network, such as a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (“PSTN”).

In a traditional telephone system, the originating telephone and theanswering telephone remain connected by a permanent circuit for theduration of the call. The data transmission capability of the circuit issufficient to carry a voice signal at an acceptable call quality. Incontrast, during a telephone call in an IP telephony system, thereexists no direct circuit connection between the originating andanswering telephones. In the case of two telephones connected to thesame network, the voice signal is encoded into data packets by one ofthe IP enabled telephones which are then transmitted across the networkto the other telephone. The other telephone unencodes the receivedpackets to reproduce the voice signal for the listener. This is a twoway process to allow both call participants to speak and listensimultaneously.

In the case where the call is routed through a gateway to a PSTN, thedata packets are transferred to or from the circuit switched PSTN by thegateway, which acts as an interface between the two systems.

The data packets, originating from either a gateway or an IP telephone,share the network with other data packets being sent and received byother entities connected to the network. These other entities caninclude other IP telephones, personal computers and other networkeddevices. During times of heavy network traffic, the packets sent andreceived by IP telephones may be held up due to bottlenecks caused bythe overall level of network traffic. This can result in a depletion ofthe performance of the IP telephony system such as a drop in callquality experienced by the user, long delays in obtaining a dial tone,and even the dropping out of calls in progress. This disruption to thetelephone service can be very costly in business. It is also frustratingto users who have come to expect trouble free telephone operation fromtraditional telephone systems.

Disruption to the system is similarly caused by delays in operation ofthe system controller. This could be due to various causes including aheavy demand on the controller, or that the controller has inadequateprocessing capacity to cope with normal demand.

Managing a networked system goes some way to avoiding, or assistingspeedy resolution of, problems that occur with the system. These systemshave been managed by reviewing activity logs created by entitiesconnected to the network. However, these activity logs only give anindication of past operational activity and hence their usefulness intimely management of the network is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of producingoperational information regarding the operation of a networked system,the system including entities arranged to communicate over the network,the method including the steps of: obtaining system configurationinformation regarding the configuration of the system; continuouslymonitoring activity of the system to obtain system activity information;and combining the system configuration information with the systemactivity information to obtain real time operational information.

By this method, real-time information regarding the operation of thesystem is produced. This information can inform a system administratorof the current operational conditions of the system to allow them totake appropriate corrective action, if needed.

The system configuration information may include details of the topologyof the system.

The system configuration information may be obtained from a controllerof the networked system.

The system activity information may be obtained by monitoring networktraffic.

The network traffic monitored may be that addressed to or from thecontroller.

The network traffic may be monitored at a node of the network whichconnects the controller to the network.

The method may further include the step of combining entity statusinformation with the system configuration information and the systemactivity information.

The entity status information may be obtained by interrogating an entityconnected to the network.

The address of the interrogated entity may be obtained from the systemactivity information.

The system may be a multi-media communications system.

The system activity information may include call signalling data.

The entities may include multi-media devices.

The entities may include IP telephones or gateways.

The operational information produced may include information regardingcurrent calls.

The information regarding current calls may include quality of service.

The operational information produced may include information regardingcurrent status of devices.

The operational information produced may include information regardingroute availability.

The operational information produced may include the delay to obtaininga dial tone.

The method may further include the step of controlling the system basedon the operational information.

In a second aspect the present invention provides an apparatus forproducing operational information regarding the operation of a networkedsystem, the system including entities arranged to communicate over thenetwork, the apparatus including: obtaining means for obtaining systemconfiguration information regarding the configuration of the system;monitoring means for continuously monitoring activity of the system toobtain system activity information; and combining means for combiningthe system configuration information with the system activityinformation to obtain real time operational information.

The system configuration information may include details of the topologyof the system.

The apparatus may be arranged to obtain system configuration informationfrom a controller of the networked system.

The monitoring means may be arranged to obtain system activityinformation by monitoring network traffic.

The network traffic monitored may be that addressed to or from thecontroller.

The monitoring means may be arranged to monitor network traffic at anode of the network which connects a controller of the networked systemto the network.

The combining means may be further arranged to combine entity statusinformation with the system configuration information and the systemactivity information.

The entity status information may be obtained by interrogating an entityconnected to the network.

The address of the interrogated entity may be obtained from the systemactivity information.

The system may be a multi-media communications system.

The system activity information may include call signalling data.

The entities may include multi-media devices.

The entities may include IP telephones or gateways.

The operational information produced may include information regardingcurrent calls.

The information regarding current calls may include quality of service.

The operational information produced may include information regardingcurrent status of devices.

The operational information produced may include information regardingroute availability.

The operational information produced may include the delay to obtaininga dial tone.

The apparatus may further include control means for controlling thesystem based on the operational information.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a computer programarranged to instruct a computing system to implement a method inaccordance with the first aspect of the invention.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a computer programarranged to instruct a computer system to operate as an apparatus inaccordance with the second aspect of the invention.

In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a computer readablemedium providing a software program according to the third aspect of theinvention.

In a sixth aspect the present invention provides a computer readablemedium providing a software program according to the fourth aspect ofthe invention.

System configuration information includes information regarding theconfiguration of a system. This includes, but is not limited to,information about the topology of the system such as the identity ofdevices connected by the network and whether they are presentlyconnected to the network, and how they are connected to the network andtheir addresses on the network. It also includes information about howthe system should react to particular conditions, such as routing oftraffic on the network.

System activity information includes information regarding activity ofthe system. This includes, but is not limited to, information derivedfrom use of devices connected to the system that requires them tocommunicate by way of the network. This can include commands orinstructions sent or received by entities, and data sent to or fromentities.

Entity status information includes information regarding the status ofentities connected to the network. This includes, but is not limited to,capabilities of an entity, and current operating conditions of anentity. Entity status information may be obtained by interrogating aparticular entity and receiving a response.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a known IP telephony system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the IP telephony system of FIG. 1 modifiedto include an apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic overview of a method according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a list of call legs produced by an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a list of real time calls produced by an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a list of devices produced by an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates quality of service parameters for a particular IPtelephone produced by an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an overview of route availability produced by an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a list of endpoints for a gateway produced by an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 are overviews of operational information regarding an IPtelephony cluster produced by an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a known IP telephony system is shown. The systemincludes a collection of entities connected to a network in the form ofLAN 12. The entities include multi-media devices including IP telephones14, 16 and gateway 18. The gateway could be either of an H.323 or MGCPgateway. The multi-media devices are the end points within the callsystem that actually perform the input/output operation on voice andvideo media.

The system further includes a controller in the form of systemcontroller 20. System controller 20 is the central processing unit of IPtelephony network 10. It is embodied as a network file server computerrunning suitably configured software. Depending upon the size of thesystem, a cluster of computers may be used. System controller 20includes a data repository which holds system configuration informationregarding IP telephony system 10. The system configuration informationincludes details of the topology of the network, and information thatinforms system controller 20 how to process telephone calls made by useof the system 10 by establishing connections between the multi mediadevices. It further includes details of whether a physical multi-mediadevice has actually been installed to handle calls for a particulartelephone extension number. Depending upon the size and geographicaldistribution of system 10 there may be more than one system controller20.

Telephone calls are established via signalling that runs across LAN 12.For instance, if the receiver of IP telephone 14 is lifted then a signalis sent by IP telephone to system controller 20 indicating that thereceiver has been lifted. System controller 20 operates to provide adial tone to IP telephone 14 to indicate to the user that they may placea call. Digits pressed on IP phone 14 to dial a number are individuallyprocessed by system controller 20. The system configuration informationincludes routing information that instructs system controller 20 how toroute a call, based on the digits dialled. If the user dials the numberthat identifies IP telephone 16 then system controller establishescommunication between IP telephones 14 and 16. If the number dialledrelates to a destination device not connected to the LAN 12, systemcontroller 20 routes the call via gateway 18 which interfaces withanother telephone system.

Referring to FIG. 2, the system of FIG. 1 is shown modified to includean apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Theapparatus includes obtaining means embodied in software program 26 thatis arranged to obtain configuration information from the data repositoryof system controller 20. The apparatus further includes monitoring meansin the form of a combination of Network Monitoring Driver (NMD) 22 andNetwork Monitoring Process (NMP) 24. NMD 22 runs on System controller 20and intercepts each signalling packet that enters and exits the networknode by which the controller 20 is attached to the network. NMP 24filters the packets and synthesises system activity information 27 whichincludes call signalling data from multi-media devices such as IP phonesand gateways. The system activity information is sent to file servercomputer 25 which is connected to LAN 12 and is running software program26. Combining means is embodied in software 26 and operates to combinethe configuration information with the system activity information inreal time to produce operational information regarding operation of thesystem.

Referring to FIG. 3, an overview of the operation of the softwareprogram 26 is shown. Software program 26 obtains system configurationinformation 29 from the data repository of system controller 20. Thesystem configuration information 29 is obtained upon initialisation ofthe software program 26. The system configuration information 29 remainsconstant during operation of system 10 until the configuration of system10 is altered such as by the addition or removal of multi-media devices.Updated system configuration information is obtained by software program26 to allow for changes in the configuration of system 10.

Software program 26 further obtains system activity information 27 fromnetwork monitoring process 24. The system activity information 27reflects activity in system 10 and is sent to the software program 26whenever activity occurs. The system configuration information 29 andthe system activity information 27 are combined by the software program26 to obtain operational information, which can be made available to auser or system administrator.

Software program 26 also receives entity status information byinterrogating multi media devices in the form of IP telephones 14, 16and gateway 18. The system configuration information 29 and the systemactivity information 27 are used to determine the address of the deviceto interrogate.

System Activity Information

There are three main groups of system activity information 27 obtainedby the network monitoring process 24:

-   -   Signalling Path Information    -   Media Path Information    -   Multi-media Device Status Information        Signalling Path Information

Whenever a call attempt is made from a device a signalling connection insome sense is created between the device and the relevant systemcontroller 20. The NMP detects any new call attempts and creates a callleg object to represent the lifetime of the call from the originatingend. Similarly whenever a device answers a call a signalling connectionis created between it and the system controller 20 and the NMP creates acall leg object to represent the lifetime of the call from the answeringend.

IP phones and gateways use several different signalling standards(otherwise known as protocols) to communicate with the system controller20. IP phones use the SCCP protocol and gateways use the MGCP and H.323protocols. The NMP parses these protocols and from them obtains thefollowing call leg information:

-   -   Device Name (protocol dependant)    -   Device IP Address    -   Call Reference Number    -   Calling Party Number    -   Called Party Number        Media Path Information

From the device signalling the following information is obtained aboutthe media path:

-   -   Voice Compression Standard    -   RTP IP addresses and ports        This information is stored in the call leg object that was        created for the call attempt.        Multi-media Device Status Information

From the device signalling the following information is obtained aboutthe status of the multi-media device:

-   -   Registration Failure Cause    -   Off-Hook Count    -   On-Hook Count    -   Delay-To-Dial-Tone        Entity Status Information

The multi media devices connected to LAN 12 contain entity statusinformation 30 that can be obtained by interrogating the particulardevice, and receiving a response from the device. Examples ofMulti-media Device data sources are:

-   -   HTML Pages from IP phones    -   SNMP MIB accesses from gateways

The entity status information 30 that can be obtained from directinterrogation of multi-media devices includes:

-   -   List of interfaces    -   Interface types (FXO, FXS, E&M, PRI, CAS)    -   Interface status (Up/Down)    -   Voice Compression Standards    -   Quality of Service Parameters    -   Software version        Operational Information

Software program 26 combines the system configuration information 29 andthe system activity information 27 and may further combine the entitystatus information 30 to produce operational information includinginformation pertaining to call legs 32, calls 34, devices 36, quality ofservice 38 and route availability 40 as will now be described.

Call Legs

The call leg objects created by the NMP are matched to the device thatcreated the call leg by directly indexing off the device name orcomparing the IP address that the call leg was sourced from to the IPaddresses of the devices according to the system configurationinformation 29. Referring to FIG. 4, the operational informationproduced includes:

-   -   Device Name 40    -   Device IP Address    -   Device RTP IP Address    -   Device RTP UDP Port    -   Destination RP IP Address    -   Destination RTP UDP Port    -   Call Reference 41    -   Called Party Number    -   Calling Party Number    -   Call Type 42 (Answering/Originating)    -   Call Start Time 44    -   Call Duration 46    -   Voice Compression Standard    -   Protocol Type (SCCP/MGCP/H.323)        Calls

A call is said to exist when two call legs with matching RTP IPaddresses and ports are identified, indicating that two multi-mediadevices have exchanged information that allows them to transport voiceand/or video information to each other. It is possible to obtaininformation on all of the calls present within the packet switchednetwork at any given time and on any given multi-media device. Referringto FIG. 5, the information produced includes:

-   -   Call Reference 41    -   Originating Device Name 50    -   Answering Device Name 52    -   Called Party Number 56    -   Calling Party Number    -   Call Start Time 44    -   Call Stop Time    -   Call Direction 58 (Incoming/Outgoing/Internal/Trunked)        Devices

In order to render the information about current calls meaningful a listof multi-media devices that can be called is required. By combining thesystem configuration information 29 obtained from the system controller20 with the entity status information 30 obtained from interrogating thedevices and the system activity information 27 the following deviceinformation can be provided:

-   -   Device Name 40    -   Device Type    -   Protocol Type    -   IP Address    -   Device Description    -   Slot Number    -   Subunit Number    -   Port Number    -   Channel Number (only relevant for bearer channels within PRI and        CAS spans)    -   Status (Up/Down)    -   Voice Interface Card Name    -   Delay-to-dial-tone        Quality of Service

Quality of Service parameters and Voice Compression Standard figures fora particular call in progress are obtained by interrogating themulti-media devices involved in the call. These devices are identifiedby the information produced in relation to calls as described above.Quality of service is calculated to ITU G-107 or P.862 standards.

In certain instances, a monitoring device may be employed to monitor thequality of service experienced by a particular multi-media device. Inthis case, the monitoring device may be interrogated to determineinformation relating to quality of service. Referring to FIG. 6, realtime quality of service information is illustrated for a particular IPtelephone. The quality of service parameters include jitter and lostpackets.

Route Availability

It is highly desirable to determine the availability of service withinthe packet switched network. This is most effectively done bycalculating the availability for various patterns of phone numbers,otherwise known as route patterns. High availability means that nearlyall of the devices assigned to route calls matching that pattern areoperational; low availability means that few of the devices assigned toroute calls matching that pattern are operational.

The system configuration information 29 includes details of the rulesthe system uses for routing calls by the called party number. Bycombining this information with the entity status information 30 bycross checking, a list of route patterns and their availability isproduced. Referring to FIG. 7, the information produced includes:

-   -   Route Pattern 70    -   Destination Name 72    -   Type 74 (MGCP Gateway/MGCP Endpoint/H.323 Gateway/Route List)    -   Status 76 (Up/Down)

Referring to FIG. 8, a list of endpoints of a gateway are listed.

The operational information output by software program 26 can bepresented graphically on a display screen. Alternatively, the system canbe configured to send an alert message to a system administrator if aparticular element of the operational information crosses apre-determined threshold. For instance, if call quality drops below aset level the system administrator may be alerted to take action torectify the situation. Still further, control means may be provided totake action automatically, based on the operational information, tocontrol operation of the system.

The various elements of information may be organised and presented to auser to provide an overview of the system. This can serve as amonitoring and diagnostic tool. Referring to FIG. 9, an overview ispresented which includes operational information including calls active90, calls attempted 92, calls by category 94, H.323 calls in progress96, lines in use 97 and call direction for phones 98. Referring to FIG.10, an overview is presented which includes operational informationincluding delay to dialtone all calls 100, acceptable calls 102, worst10 calls 104 and unnacceptable calls 106.

The method of the invention is particularly suitable for providingoperational information regarding the IP telephony system produced byCisco Systems and sold under the trade name CallManager.

Whilst this invention has been described by reference to an IP telephonysystem it has application to other systems where communication betweenentities is established across a network.

Whilst the software program 26 has been described above as running onits own dedicated networked computer, it could run on a computer thatforms part of system controller 20.

Where methods and apparatus of the present invention may be implementedby software applications, or partly implemented by software, then theymay take the form of program code stored or available from computerreadable media, such as CD-ROMS or any other machine readable media, theprogram code comprising instructions which, when loaded onto a machinesuch as a computer, the machine then becomes an apparatus for carryingout the invention. The computer readable media may include transmissionmedia, such as cabling, fibre optics or any other form of transmissionmedia.

It will also be appreciated that, where methods and apparatus of thepresent invention are implemented by computing systems, or partlyimplemented by computing systems, then any appropriate computing systemarchitecture may be utilised. This will include stand-alone computers,networked computers, and dedicated computing devices. Where the terms“computing system” and “computing device” are used, then these terms areintended to cover any appropriate arrangement of computer hardware forimplementing the function.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as anadmission that the information is common general knowledge, unlessotherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additionsmay be made to the parts previously described without departing from thespirit or ambit of the present invention.

Glossary of Acronyms

-   E1: A European standard for a digital connection between customer    premises equipment and the local exchange. The E1 bit rate is 2.048    Mbit/s.-   FXO: Foreign Exchange Office. This is U.S. terminology for the    exchange end of an analogue telephone line.-   FXS: Foreign Exchange Station. This is U.S. terminology for the    subscriber end of an analogue telephone line.-   H.323: ITU Standard for packet switched multi-media calls.-   IP: Internet Protocol. Part of the TCP/IP protocol suite.-   ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network.-   LAN: Local Area Network.-   MGCP: Media Gateway Control Protocol.-   MIB: Management Information Base. This is an abstract database    resident within a managed network node that is accessed via SNMP.-   NMD: Network Monitoring Driver.-   NMP: Network Monitoring Process.-   PRI: Primary Rate ISDN. This is an ISDN connection that is    maintained over an E1 or a T1 span.-   PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network.-   Q.931: ITU Standard for telephony signalling. This was originally    designed for ISDN signalling but has been extended for use in H.323    packet switched calls.-   RTP: Real-time Transport Protocol. A protocol used to transmit voice    information on a packet switched network.-   SCCP: Skinny Client Control Protocol.-   SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol.-   T1: A U.S. standard for a digital connection between customer    premises equipment and the local exchange. The T1 bit rate is 1.544    Mbit/s.

1. A method of producing operational information regarding the operationof a networked system, the system including entities arranged tocommunicate over the network, the method including the steps of:obtaining system configuration information regarding the configurationof the system; continuously monitoring activity of the system to obtainsystem activity information; and combining the system configurationinformation with the system activity information to obtain real timeoperational information.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein thesystem configuration information includes details of the topology of thesystem.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the systemconfiguration information is obtained from a controller of the networkedsystem.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of monitoringsystem activity information further includes the step of monitoringnetwork traffic.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the networktraffic monitored is that addressed to or from a controller of thenetwork.
 6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the network traffic ismonitored at a node of the network which connects the controller to thenetwork.
 7. A method according to claim 1 further including the step ofcombining entity status information with the system configurationinformation and the system activity information.
 8. A method accordingto claim 7 wherein the step of obtaining entity status informationfurther includes the step of interrogating an entity connected to thenetwork.
 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the address of theinterrogated entity is obtained from the system activity information.10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the system activityinformation includes call signalling data.
 11. A method according toclaim 1 wherein the entities include multi-media devices.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the entities include IP telephones orgateways.
 13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the operationalinformation produced includes information regarding current calls.
 14. Amethod according to claim 13 wherein the information regarding currentcalls includes quality of service.
 15. A method according to claim 1wherein the operational information produced includes informationregarding current status of entities.
 16. A method according to claim 1wherein the operational information produced includes informationregarding route availability.
 17. A method according to claim 1 whereinthe operational information produced includes the delay to obtaining adial tone.
 18. A method according to claim 1 further including the stepof controlling the system based on the operational information.
 19. Amethod according to claim 1 further including the step of graphicallypresenting an overview of the operational information.
 20. An apparatusfor producing operational information regarding the operation of anetworked system, the system including entities arranged to communicateover the network, the apparatus including: obtaining means for obtainingsystem configuration information regarding the configuration of thesystem; monitoring means for continuously monitoring activity of thesystem to obtain system activity information; and combining means forcombining the system configuration information with the system activityinformation to obtain real time operational information.
 21. Anapparatus according to claim 20 wherein the system configurationinformation includes details of the topology of the system.
 22. Anapparatus according to claim 20 that is arranged to obtain systemconfiguration information from a controller of the networked system. 23.An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the monitoring means isarranged to obtain system activity information by monitoring networktraffic.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the monitoringmeans is arranged to monitor network traffic monitored that is addressedto or from a controller of the networked system.
 25. An apparatusaccording to claim 23 wherein the monitoring means is arranged tomonitor network traffic at a node of the network which connects acontroller of the networked system to the network.
 26. An apparatusaccording to claim 20 wherein the combining means is further arranged tocombine entity status information with the system configurationinformation and the system activity information.
 27. An apparatusaccording to claim 26 wherein the entity status information is obtainedby interrogating an entity connected to the network.
 28. An apparatusaccording to claim 27 wherein the address of the interrogated entity isobtained from the system activity information.
 29. An apparatusaccording to claim 20 wherein the system activity information includescall signalling data.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein theentities include multi-media devices.
 31. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the entities include IP telephones or gateways.
 32. Anapparatus according to claim 20 wherein the operational informationproduced includes information regarding current calls.
 33. An apparatusaccording to claim 32 wherein the information regarding current callsincludes quality of service.
 34. An apparatus according to claim 20wherein the operational information produced includes informationregarding current status of devices.
 35. An apparatus according to claim20 wherein the operational information produced includes informationregarding route availability.
 36. An apparatus according to claim 20wherein the operational information produced includes the delay toobtaining a dial tone.
 37. An apparatus according to claim 20 furtherincluding control means for controlling the system based on theoperational information.
 38. An apparatus according to claim 20 furtherincluding presentation means for presenting an overview of theoperational information.